| Waking Up | ||||
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| Released | November 13, 2009 | |||
| Recorded | January 2008 – August 2009 | |||
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| Genre | Pop rock[1][2] | |||
| Length | 47:34 | |||
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| Singles from Waking Up | ||||
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Waking Up is the second studio album by American pop rock band OneRepublic, released through Mosley Music Group and Interscope Records on November 13, 2009, in Germany and on November 17 in United States. Written and produced largely by lead singer Ryan Tedder while the band was promoting their 2007 debut album in 2008–2009, Waking Up features additional songwriting credits from bandmates Brent Kutzle, Drew Brown, Eddie Fisher, and producer Noel Zancanella. Tedder produced all the eleven songs on the standard edition, four by himself, as the band's effort at the album's concept, which revolves around waking up after nights of bad dreams.
Hoping to experiment with new sounds while maintaining the pop rock identity that characterized their debut album, the band used lightweight synthesizers, orchestra, children's choir, and traditional instruments such as violin, cello, and trilling strings to create a "cinematic experience". The record combines styles of pop rock with eclectic elements including arena rock, Afro pop, drum and bass and Britpop. Inspired by Tedder's feelings after the band rose to fame and attracted the media spotlight, the lyrics explore themes of self-loathing, struggles to stay sober in the face of public exposure, as well as the pursuit of happiness, through lyrics that depict childhood innocence and challenges as a young person.
The album was supported by four singles; "All the Right Moves" was released as the first single in the US, while "Secrets" was released as the first single in Germany, later released as the second single internationally. "Marchin On" and "Good Life" were released as the third and fourth singles, with the latter reaching the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100. Critics received the album with generally positive reviews; some took issue with the melodramatic type of melody combined with radio-friendly songwriting, but praised the use of multiple instruments, the album's overall production, and Tedder's signature of building catchy hooks.
Waking Up debuted at number 21 on the US Billboard 200, selling 662,000 copies in 2015 and later being certified Gold in the United States. Worldwide, it surpassed 1.2 million copies sold in 2012. To promote the album, OneRepublic embarked on the Good Life Tour (2010–2012), as well as being the opening act on leg 2 of Palm Trees & Power Lines Tour (2010) by Maroon 5.